The ongoing construction at Rec Hall to renovate and expand the building's facilities has now moved indoors, resulting in the closure of the facility's fitness center for the duration of the semester.

The project includes a 20,000-square-foot fitness center addition facing west on North Atherton Street and a 28,500-square-foot remodeling of the old fitness area in the south part of Rec Hall to improve the wrestling area.

While the expansion and improvement of the area will ultimately benefit students, some have voiced disgust with the decision to close the area at this time. The university gave ample warning that the facilities would be closing during spring break, and this allowed affected students to make the proper adjustments. What more do these students want?

The university deemed the facilities in need of renovation, which will only increase the quality of the service Penn State can offer its students. It then allocated the proper funding and began construction at the most convenient time for all involved, with a lot of the renovations taking place over the summer when fewer students are on campus.

With warmer weather on its way, students who generally use the facilities can easily move outside to walk, jog or run on campus. And those who prefer to lift weights and use other equipment can use any of the other facilities on campus.

Chip Harrison, head strength and conditioning coach at Penn State, said the university has not made any changes to the White Building and IM Building facilities to accommodate students who use the Rec Hall area. If crowds at these locales increase because of the closure, it is incumbent upon the university to make such adjustments.

Use of the Rec Hall facility was free for students before construction, but officials have not said whether or not they will charge students once construction is completed. If they decide to do so, then students would have reason to be angry.

But until such a change is made, the students complaining about the brief inconvenience need to realize that Penn State has done what is in the best interest of the institution and its students for years to come.

This temporary convenience will only allow for a larger long-term gain.